Pendar - Session 19.5

50 Merrysest, Shadesday -
Catching up to the two, Max follows them through the city, although neither does more than make small talk with him, until they arrive at the gates of the castle.

Sullen Youth nods to one of the guards, and he backs up deferentially, opening the imposing gate.
Maximilian gasps as the sheer scale of the structure.
Half-Elf Scholar: "(You had some kind of business with us, didn't you? Tag along, if you want.)"
Maximilian: "(Of course.)"
Maximilian treads inside, looking around to take in the majesty of the place.
They lead Max past the outer wall of the castle, where a small group of people seem to be conferring.
Man-at-Arms: "Selia. You're late. We need to be ready to leave."
Half-Elf Scholar: "You know the conditions I'm here under."
Maximilian noting the rank of the people here, Max steps off Marigold and forms behind the scholar.
Sullen Youth: "No luck with the duke?"
Young Nobleman: "Still nothing. I don't know why I bother, and he's the most educated of all of them."
Man-at-Arms: "Nothing for it but to move on, I suppose..."
Half-Elf Knight: "...Sel? What strays are you picking up this time?"
Maximilian jolts up at the words.
Half-Elf Scholar shrugs, unfazed.
Half-Elf Scholar: "Someone I thought El might find useful. I've been watching him for a day or so."
Sullen Youth: "She's stalking people again."
Elderly Knight scowls at the three, sizing up Max.
Young Nobleman: "Useful? If Selia thinks so... What's your name, knight?"
Maximilian: "I-I.., "
"I am Maximilian, your highness. An aspiring knight of Ivanda. ...I came this way after discovering a plot against your supporters."
Maximilian trembles, but manages to hold to his words, remembering why he came.
Young Nobleman: "A plot? Do continue. Everyone here is a trusted ally of mine, so please explain fully."
Maximilian: "It was in Auna. A companion and I were searching for a missing girl, when we encountered young lady Valdya of Seskesa, accosted by brigands."
"As it turned out... the men were part of an organised group, hired by another, sent to take her and use her as leverage against the duke."
Young Nobleman nods in understanding as Max speaks.
Maximilian: "Lord Ulandal had already received a threat from them, it was certainly intended to punish him for his support of you, my Prince."
Young Nobleman: "Yes, I can believe that. Is there more?"
Maximilian chews his lip, trying to recall under the rush.
Maximilian: "A map... detailing the roads they used and several towns. I still have that. ...also..."
"On the road to Iranri. There were more from that group, heading south."
Sullen Youth: "Did you stop them?"
Half-Elf Scholar elbows the boy roughly.
Maximilian scowls.
Maximilian: "The ones we passed were already waylaid by owlbeasts, and abandoning the mission. They seemed reluctant to continue it."
"It was more that they were following someone whom I had already...'stopped'."
Young Nobleman: "I hope that will be enough. If this violence keeps up, we won't need Fostrema for them to have their war."
Maximilian: "I was under the impression Fostrema had its hands tied. Still, I suppose these are all great excuses for the supporters of war to rally."
Maximilian bows, and then begins to find the map from his satchel.
Young Nobleman frowns slightly in thought, waiting for Max.
Half-Elf Scholar: "Nothing of who hired them?"
Maximilian flicks his eyes over the map's pattern, frowning, and turns to the scholar.
Maximilian: "The man leading the group we clashed with was tall, blonde haired, had a broken nose and was reasonably wealthy. ...half-elf daughter... but not the mastermind."
"I'm sorry, I don't think I caught his name."
"No, wait. ...Cobb."
Stern Knight: "I wouldn't have thought it. Cobb's Mercenaries had been honorable, once."
Elderly Knight: "Hard times for that trade."
Young Nobleman: "Nothing of who the mastermind is... Still, you have my thanks."
Maximilian: "I wish I could offer more. I still have their map, however."
Maximilian passes the map to the scholar.
Half-Elf Scholar takes the map, kneeling down and placing it on the ground as she copies the markings to a map in one of her books.
Sullen Youth: "Want me to send a message back to Kenneka about this one too?"
Young Nobleman: "She knows enough. It can wait for our return."
Half-Elf Scholar hands the map back to Max as she finishes her copy.
Maximilian accepts it, trying to keep his eyes off the ground.
Half-Elf Scholar: "Dreadful cartography. How do you not all get lost...?"
Maximilian: "We have a good tracker, I suppose."
"And now I have my eye in the sky."
Maximilian smiles, relieved to have Aquila with him.
Half-Elf Scholar: "For a creature like that to follow you willingly... I'll just say it's part of why I 'stalked' you, as the idiot describes it."
Half-Elf Knight: "Stop being rude, Sel."
Maximilian: "I helped her avenge her young. Blast, ever since I left Auna, too many lives have been at stake."
Young Nobleman: "Please consider my companions' behavior as a measure of their trust of you."
Maximilian flushes at the prince's statement.
Maximilian: "It is an honour..."
Young Nobleman: "You've done well, to pass this along to me. Marcus, see that he is compensated."
Half-Elf Scholar: "(One more little favor before you go?)"
Maximilian: "(Ah? Anything I could do, please tell me.)"
Half-Elf Scholar slips Max a note, apparently taken from her book while she copied the map.
Man-at-Arms steps forward, handing Max a small but weighty pouch, and nods in dismissal.
Maximilian accepts the pouch, and bows low.
Young Nobleman: "You'll pardon me, but we have many preparations to make before leaving."
Maximilian: "I understand. Blessings to you, your highness."
Maximilian turns and steps out, beckoning Marigold and Aquila to him.
As the sun sets, Max makes his way back to the inn, with this new meeting to consider.